Toma Pagojute, chief HR officer at workforce management experts Quinyx, welcomes the bill – which includes a ban on zero-hours contracts and the introduction of flexible working and sick pay from ‘day one’ – but warns its impact will be bigger than many retailers realise, “until it’s too late”.
Quinyx data from its global State of the Frontline Workforce report – which has annually monitored the attitudes and behaviours of tens of thousands of deskless employees worldwide since 2020 – shows that a third of UK frontline staff (33%) have gone into work when ill due to a lack of sick pay – and this rises to 43% of UK hospitality workers. The introduction of immediate sick pay for all employees could see absences rise significantly, leaving some businesses severely understaffed.
Toma explains: “The bill is hugely positive news for employees but could have serious consequences for frontline industries if they don’t plan accordingly.
“Many of the changes are long overdue – flexible working for frontline staff has been lacking for years, and it’s shocking that so many have felt under pressure to turn up when ill as they wouldn’t get paid otherwise.
“Yet companies must be prepared, knowing that some of the new laws, including immediate sick leave, will mean more admin and greater staffing challenges. Businesses stand to lose custom if they can’t staff shifts due to increased absences, for example, or they may find themselves facing legal challenges for breaking the new laws,...
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